Arsenal Transfer News: Wenger Says No to January Signing of Former Manchester United Star

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has rejected the chance to sign the former Manchester United player

Arsene Wenger turned down the chance to bring Nemanja Vidic (L) back to the English Premier LeagueReuters

Arsene Wenger might desperately need a central defender in his squad, but the Arsenal manager has rejected the chance to sign former Manchester United skipper Nemanja Vidic in the January transfer window.

Vidic has not had the greatest of times since moving to Inter Milan from Manchester United last summer, and there have been plenty of reports linking the central defender with a return to the English Premier League.

The obvious choice would be a return to Manchester United, but, according to the Sun, Wenger was given an option to sign Vidic in January, which the Arsenal manager turned down.

While Vidic will be a decent short-term option, Wenger is probably looking at someone who can, not just make an immediate impact to his squad, but also stick around for a longer time.

Also, Vidic's agent has repeatedly played down reports of a possible return to Manchester United or the Premier League, insisting his client would see out the three-year contract he signed with Inter Milan when he joined on a free transfer last summer.

Arsenal are desperate for a central defender, with Arsene Wenger forced to use the likes of Mathieu Debuchy and Nacho Monreal as centre-backs following a nagging Achilles injury to Laurent Koscielny.

The likes of Fabian Schar, Ron Vlaar, Aymeric Laporte and Tyrone Mings have been linked with moves, and three of those players are pretty young with the best years of their career still ahead of them.

Schar and Mings look like the most likely candidates, even if the latter is not exactly a centre-back, having played as a left-back for Ipswich Town. However, at well over six feet, Mings is seen as a potential central defender for the future and Wenger recently admitted he is one of the players that Arsenal are keeping a close eye on.

Chelsea are also interested in the former Southampton youth player, with the 21-year-old rated at around the £8-10 million mark.

Wenger said he has money to spend in the January transfer window, and will not hesitate to offer big money if the right target becomes available.

"I've said many times, without any doubt -- if we find the right player we will do [a deal]," said Wenger.

"There's a huge difference between the perception that people have of me. I'm not scared to spend money.

"It was periods where we did not have the money. What I don't like is to spend the money I haven't got.

"What I fought against is to spend money that would put the future of the club in danger. Now I have money. No problem at all."